Respond to the lack of nurseries
In this country of 3.8 million inhabitants, the school begins only six years and the crèche places are limited. Consequently, thousands of children find themselves without childcare each year.
Among the older ones, in 2024 more than 37% of the over 65s are below the poverty risk threshold – twice as much as the European average.
In an attempt to remedy these two problems, Samobor, about twenty kilometers from Zagreb, became the country’s first city to offer a salary to grandparents who take care of their grandchildren who did not get space in public crèche.
“”The advantages are multiple“, Explains the mayor of the city, Petra Skrobot, who was inspired by a Swedish experience, to AFP.
In Croatia where the starting age is set at 65, “Pensions are fairly low, and for parents, it is sometimes difficult to find a childcare“, Observes Ms. Skrobot, elected from the Liberal Party Fokus.
“”Samobor subsidizes at 360 euros per child per month and per month all childcare modes – private or assistant -maternal assistant. Now the measure also financially helps grandparents“.
This “keeps them active, and, at a time when we isolate ourselves more and more, it has a positive impact on families,” said the elected.
Hand tense towards seniors
Already nearly 30 grandparents have applied for the measure – introduced at the end of March.
Dubravka Koletic is one of them, and salutes an idea that does good “to children and grandparents“.
“”We earn a few euros, which is good because our pensions are low, and we spend a lot of time with our grandchildren“, She said, covering her grandson, Viktor, 18 months old, very busy playing with stones.”We get closer to them, and they“.
Her daughter, Danijela Koletic, is also delighted, especially since she had not found a place in a crèche for her son.
“”It’s really great: it’s easier to leave a little child to someone who is confident, and at the same time Viktor and his grandmother are closer and closer“Explains this 41 -year -old economist who has two larger children.
With two nursery schools and several nurseries, Samobor welcomes more and more families, attracted by the proximity of the capital and at the same time a more peaceful environment. Last year, a new class even had to be opened in the city.
But despite the efforts of the authorities, more than a hundred children have had no room for a crèche – especially the little ones.
So for the director of the Garden Jardin Grigor Vitez, Josipa Milakovic, the mayor’s initiative is a “outstretched hand for parents”.
Since the launch of the program at the end of March, Ms. Skrobot has been contacted by elected officials from several cities, inspired by her measure.
For the authorities, the challenge is immense: with 1.5 children per woman on average and a strong emigration, the population threatens to collapse by the end of the century – from 3.8 million today to 2.5 million in 2100, according to the forecasts of the UN.